DuPage County, Illinois — Naperville Chief of Police Robert Marshall announced today that Attempted First Degree Murder charges have been filed against Zachary Machnikowski, 18 for allegedly entering a home early Tuesday morning and stabbing a husband and wife as they were sleeping.
Machnikowski entered the residence, armed himself with a large knife he took from the kitchen and went upstairs to the couple’s bedroom. It is alleged that Machnikowski then attacked the couple as they were asleep in their bed, stabbing the husband first. It is further alleged that after the husband fought off the attack, Machnikowski fled the residence.
Officers found the husband and wife in the living room covered in blood. Each had been stabbed multiple times in the face, head, hands and abdomen.
An investigation led by the Naperville Police Department led to Machnikowski who was taken into custody within minutes. The couple was transported to a local hospital where they were treated for their injuries.
“Thankfully the injuries sustained by the couple in this case do not appear to be life-threatening.”
“At this time, our thoughts are with the victims and their family in getting them through this tragic event,” said Naperville Deputy Chief Brian Cunningham.
In addition, Machnikowski has also been charged with one count of Home Invasion, a Class X Felony and one count of Residential Burglary, a Class 1 Felony.
DuPage County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the population was 916,924, making it the second-most populous county in Illinois. Its county seat is Wheaton.
Photo: NBC Chicago
